Julia Badger: Designing the Future of Space Robots

Not many people can claim that they programmed the first humanoid robot in space. Julia Badger (BSME '03) saw her hard work pay off with Robonaut, a sleek feat of humanoid technology that flew on the International Space Station. Today, as the Project Manager for the Robotics and Intelligence for Human Spacecraft Team at NASA's Johnson Space Center, she is designing the next generation of autonomous robots that will help humans explore the solar system.

John Vellinger: From Chix in Space to a Company in Space

What do you say about someone who has had the same job since the 8th grade? As a student in the 1980s, John Vellinger (BSME '89) won a contest that sent chickens into space. He then utilized that experience to found a company called Techshot, which custom-builds experimental modules for the International Space Station.

More Purdue Alumni In Space

"No institution has contributed more to our nation’s human spaceflight program than Purdue. And our university stands ready to prepare and inspire the next generation of space explorers." — Mitchell E. Daniels Jr., President of Purdue University